Cairns Council is moving to curb the growing trend of illegal camping, today announcing on-the-spot fines for offenders caught in the Cairns CBD and Esplanade precinct.Mayor Bob Manning said $220 fines would be issued to first-time and repeat offenders as of tomorrow, October 26.“Illegal camping, especially in the Cairns Esplanade precinct, is a growing problem and it has become clear that verbal warnings are just not effective. We need to address this with actions, not just words,” Cr Manning said.“We regularly receive complaints from the public about illegal camping – there is a feeling in the community that something needs to be done.“From tomorrow, anyone caught camping on the streets, parklands or anywhere else other than a designated camping area will be handed a $220 fine.Cr Manning stressed the move is not intended to deter self-drive tourists.

Brian Goon, who runs an accommodation business, said illegal camping had been a recurring problem but had heightened this month as festival-goers had become aware of the spot through social media after the solar eclipse."As they were coming back from various festivals they were contacting each other and letting them know about camping at Cow Bay beach," he said.

Opinions are divided on what to do with illegal campers following The Newsport’s readers’ poll run last week.

On Monday, 60 readers believed the campers who were camping overnight at public parks and reserves should be driven out of town or directed towards a paid accommodation site, while 58 readers believed the campers should be left alone.